1. Congress Resorting to Horse-Trading: TRS
Several Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leaders have alleged on the eve of counting of votes that the Congress is attempting “horse-trading” to lure TRS leaders seeking their support in the formation of the next government stating that both the People's Front and TRS are not going to get simple majority.
Former legislator and TRS contestant from Nagarkurnool Assembly Constituency Marri Janaradhan Reddy on Monday, 10 December, alleged that Chevella MP Konda Vishveshwar Reddy, who switched his loyalties to Congress from TRS during the third week of November, had called him over phone and asked him to support Congress to form the next government. The TRS leader, however stated that he had rejected the offer outright stating that he is comfortable in TRS and that the party is going to win 80 to 90 Assembly seats.
(Source: The Hindu)
2. Win or Lose, Activists on the Right Side
Several social activists and academicians have taken a plunge into electoral politics this time. Are they likely to do well? We will know today. Many like Professor Sujatha Surepally, Chandramukhi and Lubna Sarwath are contesting against heavyweights from People’s Front & TRS in Chennur, Goshamahal and Karwaan. Hence, winning will not be easy.
“We have a good understanding of issues plaguing in our areas and have campaigned focusing on the issues. I was in fact the only candidate to release a separate manifesto for the constituency. It is aspects like these that an activist can bring to the political sphere if they become a lawmaker. By contesting, I made basic rights and facilities an election agenda,” says Lubna Sarwath.
(Source: The New Indian Express)
3. All-Women Patrol Squad Launched
Adding to the sense of safety provided by SHE teams and Bharosa support centre, as many as 47 female cops will be patrolling city streets from now on, as part of ‘Women on Wheels’ initiative launched by the Hyderabad police on Monday, 10 December.
The newly-inducted bike-borne constable officers will be on city road to instill a sense of confidence among women and curb street crime. The all-women patrol squad was launched by City Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crimes and SIT) Shikha Goel and actor Mehreen Kaur Pirzada. The constable officers will work on a par with their male colleagues in the emergency response, crime prevention and community policing, said Goel.
“This is the major step towards mainstreaming women constable officers in the department,” she said, adding that they have undergone two months of intensive training in bike riding, unarmed combat and other defence techniques.
(Source: The Hindu)
4. Disabled Friendly Polls Are Eyewash
Polling stations outside the State capital, too, are woefully lacking in disabled friendly infrastructure, though crores of rupees have been spent on the same. Ramps at many places are narrow, temporarily plastered, and not built in scientifically prescribed proportions with railings, says Dumbala Venugopal, a disabled person from Siddipet district.
GHMC zonal commissioner D Hari Chandana, who was in charge of facilities for the disabled in the city, said a total of 10,116 disabled persons had been transported to the polling booths, of whom 8,000 applied through VAADA app. They were accorded priority, and allowed to jump the queue to vote, she said.
While 4.35 lakh people have been identified, the actual number as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, could be much higher.
(Source: The Hindu)
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